Every Day With Jesus Devotional, January 19, 2023
Every Day With Jesus
January 19: True Prosperity Isn’t Selfish
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
2 Corinthians 9:1-15 KJV
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous {useless} for me to write to you: 2For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Do you think Jesus was selfish in any way? And yet, if you really study the Gospels, it is obvious Jesus never wanted for anything. Furthermore, He had so much money that He had to have a treasurer. (John 13:29) For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. . {Note: Judas was Jesus' treasurer) Yet most Christians oppose financial prosperity because they equate it with greed. No doubt many Christians erred {stumble} in this regard, but it is the love of money that is the root of all evil not money itself. (1 Tim. 6:10.)
True prosperity as the Bible teaches and Jesus practiced it is not selfish or greedy. Jesus had a lot because He gave away a lot. As this verse says, the Lord prospers us so we can have enough to give to every good work. Those who are unable to give to everything they would like haven’t yet reached the level of prosperity God has provided for them.
Another verse that makes this point is Ephesians 4:28, which says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” God prospers you so you can bless others. When you understand the biblical concept of prosperity isn’t selfish at all, you want to prosper so you can be a blessing to others. {Note: Wow!}
Believers who say, “I have enough and would never ask God for any more,” reveal that they think prosperity is just for them. With that attitude, it would be selfish to believe for more money. They think they are being holy by just getting their bare needs met. But once they see that prosperity isn’t only for them, that they can be a channel of God’s supply to others, this “I have enough” attitude will be exposed for what it is: silly and self-righteous! {Wow}!
What is your reason for wanting to prosper? Is it all for selfish gain, or do you want to be a blessing to others? Today, instead of thinking about all your financial needs and desires, look around you and consider the needs and desires of others. Stir up a desire to meet those needs. Then you will have the right motivation to prosper. If God can get it through you, He’ll get it to you.
Note: Amazing! Powerful teaching for the principle of giving and receiving.
Devotional by Pastor Andrew Wommack.
Blog and Notes by Kingdom Business Us dot Blogspot dot Com pflb (c) 1/19/23
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